Saturday marked the end of what was by far the rainiest October on record for Memphis.

At least 10.56 inches fell during what is normally one of the driest months of the year. That's more than three times the historic norm of 3.3 inches and easily above the previous record of 8.22 inches set in 2002.

The wet October follows an unusually soggy September, when rainfall totaled 8.59 inches, or more than 21/2 times the normal 3.31 inches.

With 54.44 inches of precipitation recorded since Jan. 1, Memphis already has exceeded its normal yearly total by about 3 inches -- and there are still two months left of 2009.

The damp conditions can be attributed in part to the El Nino cycle that began during the summer, said National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Sniezak. El Nino, which warms the eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator, normally brings wetter weather to the Memphis area.

But given the drought conditions of the past few years, the extra rain isn't all bad, Sniezak said. "In some ways, it helps get us back to a more normal level over the long term."

For farmers, however, the rain has brought hardship at harvest time. Fields have been too wet for machinery, and crops -- particularly cotton and soybeans -- are getting damaged, Wheeler said.

Soybeans have suffered mold and heat damage, forcing farmers to discount their prices, he said. And the constant rain sapped the crop's oil content.

Cotton crops have suffered seed sprout, which cuts into farmers' revenues at ginning time, Wheeler said. And the longer the crop stays in the field, the greater the chance for damage.

"Every time it rains and dries out, the grade (of cotton) is going down," he said.